Sunday, June 19, 2011

Lexington, KY--June 13, 2011-- The 2011 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series will culminate with a $50,000 Championship Final. The Final--the $50,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur-Owner Championship Presented by Sleepy P Ranch, Deeridge Farm and Chansonette Farm--will be held on Saturday, November 5 as part of the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th edition, CSI-W Lexington 4*, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, November 2 -6.

The Alltech National Horse Show will invite 20 Junior and 20 Amateur-Owner riders to compete in the horse show's Junior and Amateur-Owner Jumper Divisions, each of which will include two preliminary rounds of competition:

- The $10,000 Sleepy P Ranch Junior Jumper Welcome Speed Stake on Thursday, November 3 and the $15,000 Sleepy P Ranch Junior Jumper Time First Jump-Off on Friday, November 4 for Juniors;

- The $10,000 Chansonette Farm Amateur-Owner Jumper Welcome Speed Stake on Thursday, November 3 and the $15,000 Chansonette Farm Amateur-Owner Time First Jump-Off on Friday, November 4 for Amateur-Owners.

Following these classes, the top 15 riders in each division will be invited to compete in the Show Jumping Hall of Fame's $50,000 Championship Final on Saturday, November 5. The Championship Final will run in the Time First Jump-Off format, and is sure to have the riders giving their all to win the prestigious title of 2011 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series Year-End Champion.

"The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series Championship Final has been an important part of the National Horse Show for many years, and we are thrilled to host it again in 2011," said Mason Phelps, Jr., President of the National Horse Show. "Much like the National Horse Show, the Show Jumping Hall of Fame is deeply significant in the sport of show jumping, and we are happy to continue its legacy of hosting the Series' Finals at the National."

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series holds classes under Grand Prix rules and specifications at more than one hundred horse shows across the country. The Series keeps separate standings for juniors and amateur-owners in two conferences, East and West. The Series is designed to give amateur-owner and junior riders an opportunity to compete at higher levels and serves as a proving ground for many riders who aspire to someday represent the United States in international competition. Regular season champions are recognized at the Alltech National Horse Show and the Los Angeles National Horse Show with the year-end Championship Final at the National.

"This is extremely exciting news for the Show Jumping Hall of Fame and all the riders who compete on our Jumper Classic Series," said George Morris, President of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. "The Kentucky Horse Park is the home of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame and Museum and it is quite fitting to host our year-end Championship Final at the Horse Park. We are so thankful to the National Horse Show and the championship's generous sponsors for their commitment to making this Final a top-quality event."

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series held its 2010 Year-End Championship at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament featuring the 127th National Horse Show. Audrey Coulter and Rodenburghs California emerged as the winners, besting a field of the nation's top horses and riders who were invited to compete in the Championship based on their performances throughout the year. Rounding out the top three at the Year-End Championship were Meg O'Mara and Sinatra IV in second place and Karen Polle and What Ever taking third place.

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame and Museum was established in 1987 and formally opened in 1989. It was organized to promote the sport of show jumping and to immortalize the legends of the men, women and horses who have made great contributions to the sport.

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame is located at the Kentucky Horse Park. Plaques honoring those who have been honored with induction into the Hall of Fame can be seen at the Horse Park's Rolex Stadium. Mementos and artifacts from the sport's history are on display as part of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame collection at the United States Hunter Jumper Association National Hunter Jumper Sport Museum at the Horse Park.

Further information about the Show Jumping Hall of Fame and the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series is available at the Show Jumping Hall of Fame website at www.showjumpinghalloffame.net.

The Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition, will be held from November 2 - 6, 2011, at the beautiful, new Alltech Indoor Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

This year's show, designated CSI4*-W, will feature a complete schedule of 'AA'-rated hunter divisions. Also on the agenda, a big money Open Jumper division highlighted by the $250,000 Alltech National Horse Show Grand Prix, an FEI World Cup qualifying event. $100,000 will be up for grabs for the Junior and Amateur Jumper divisions, including the $50,000 SJHOF Junior/Amateur Championships, sponsored by Sleepy P, Chansonette and Deerridge Farm. The final Sunday is highlighted by the signature event of the National Horse Show, the ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Finals, presented by C.M. Hadfield's Saddlery.

Founded in 1883 at the original Madison Square Garden, the Alltech National Horse Show is America's oldest indoor horse show, firmly established as a major fixture on the national and international sports and social event calendars. The National Horse Show Association's primary activity is the annual production of the National Horse Show and all ancillary events. Over the years, the National Horse Show has provided financial aid to many worthwhile charities.

Further information about the Alltech National Horse Show is available at the Alltech National Horse Show's website at www.nhs.org.